Published: May 24, 2006 12:49 am            

More than 350 EHS seniors graduate

Hoping to inspire more than 350 classmates, three Enid High School seniors spoke of the past, present and future during commencement Tuesday at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center Coliseum.

“The world is there for the taking, all we have to do is reach,” Elijah Lavicky said during his salutatory address.

Lavicky, the second-highest ranking senior of the 2006 graduating class, told the stories of three inspiring figures in his life — Abraham Lincoln, Lavicky’s great grandfather and Heisman Trophy winner Jason White. The inspirational figures, Lavicky said, never let their circumstances get the best of them. He asked classmates to do the same.

“Once we walk out those doors, we are all equal,” Lavicky said.

George Singer delivered the valedictory address and took the graduates into the future where classmates were singers, coaches, professional athletes, doctors and politicians.

“This could be the future,” Singer said.

Riscoe Burton was selected as this year’s senior speaker. Burton, also crowned 2006 May Fete queen, acknowledged the help of parents and guardians inspiring graduates to do their best along the way.

“You have helped us fly. You have helped us become what we are — a success in today’s society,” Burton said.

Willa Jo Fowler, Enid Public Schools Board of Education president, commended students on their speeches.

“You are all wonderful,” Fowler said. “I enjoyed it very much.”

Although she acknowledged words of advice to the graduates probably were overwhelming right now, Fowler gave them one nugget of inspiration.

“The smarter you are, the easier it is to understand there is always more to learn,” Fowler said.

Superintendent Kem Keithly introduced the valedictory commended scholars and read their parents’ names. This year’s scholars are Jonathan Allison, Sarah Ballew, Jolae Brandt, My-randa Brown, Tanner Bryan, Laura Campbell, Jason Cash, Jillian Donaldson, Chelsea Dupus, Anne Ezzell, Rashelle Fetty, Jacob Garrison, Miranda Hemming, Tara Hemphill, Grant Hromas, Anne Karns, Katie Knapik, Kathryn Lang, Elijah Lavicky, Megan Lee, Tyler McElroy, Anna McGehee, Stephanie Owens, Danielle Rosendale, Ashley Ross, Angela Schwandt, George Singer, Matthew Spencer, Regina Swenton, Mallory Tagge, Trey Wheeler, Rachel Williamsen, Nathan Wilson and Wei Yuet.

EHS Principal Jim Beier-schmitt presented an honorary diploma to the mother of Tyson Finley, an Enid senior who died in January.

Beierschmitt also acknowledged the late Roy Campbell, longtime Enid Public Schools employee and head custodian at Enid High. School officials placed Campbell’s letter jacket on a chair in his honor.